Road rage driver faces numerous charges after firing gun

Cherokee County deputies said two young women were victims of a driver with road rage on Tuesday night.

Sarah Ashe and Jordyn McKensy, both 20, were driving on East Cherokee Road when they said the driver in front of them was swerving and stopping. Ashe said they thought the driver was drunk and passed him.

Deputies said when the two passed the driver, whom they identified as Richard Wilt, 42, he became infuriated.

Ashe said Wilt was driving on their bumper and flashing his lights. "We sped up. I think we were doing 60, and he was on our bumper," said Ashe.

The two headed for a friend's house and called another friend for help, according to Ashe. Those friends happened to drive up behind the vehicles.

"My mind was racing. He started waving the pistol on the road," said Taylor Simmons, friend.

Ashe and McKensy drove to a cul-de-sac where they stopped, and that's where deputies said Wilt fired a shot from a gun at them. Officers said no one was hurt.

"As soon as I saw the gun come out of the window, I went into shock, panic mode. I was scared for my life. After the first fire, his gun jammed twice, long enough for us to pass him," said Ashe.

The victims drove out of the cul-de-sac and hid. Their friends, who were with deputies, pointed Wilt out as he drove out of the neighborhood.

"He just drove by and waved. I was like, 'There he goes,'" said Simmons.

Deputies said Wilt smelled of alcohol, and they found open cans of beer and marijuana in his car. According to the incident report, he told deputies he had road rage and had fired one round from his gun.

Wilt faces nine charges, including making terroristic threats and driving under the influence.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle and former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva (78) stands outside the tunnel alone during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the field during the national anthem for next weekend's game against the Baltimore Ravens.